These 800 yrs old iconic Kakatiya Toranas were once entrance gates of Great Syavambhu Shiva Temple destroyed by Ulugh Khan, Brother of Alauddin khilji in 1323.
Padma potikas (Lotus Brackets) & Padma Kalikas (Lotus buds) were important elements of Kakatiya Architecture.
The iconography of this Torana is as follows:
1. Each Pair of pillars on both sides represent Duality - Atman & Brahman.
2. FOUR pillars together represent Purusharthas
3. TWO Potikas (Brackets) on both the sides with Yalis and 5 & 7 layers respectively.
4. TWO Hamsas (Swans) represent the supreme reality - Brahman.
5. FIVE Lotus Buds on the top are PanchaBhutas.
6. SEVEN Lotus buds in the bottom of lintel are SaptaLokas.
7. Between Panchabhutas & Saptalokas are EIGHT Malikas (Garlands) indicating the Ashtadikpalas.
This Torana is now the Emblem of Telangana State.
Warangal city in the south Indian state of Telangana
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